Chapter 10
Ed vs Craig
The third match was to begin as everyone waited anxiously and with excitement as yet another fan favourite of theirs' was about to take the stage next, being Captain Craig himself, otherwise better known as Craig the Crusher! Unmatched by anyone and everyone who'd dare step into the ring with him, he fought both duelist and dinosaur alike in a one on one physical brawl in the World Dinowrestling Circuit, where masked wrestlers could enter alongside their chosen partners to wrestle others and their dinosaurs too! Under the conditions that no move cards were used and the matches relied solely on one's physical abilities alone, and Craig alongside his partner Bash fought and triumphed over all thus reigning as king of the ring for many years straight! His fame had been known across the world and countless fans of his were honoured and excited to see this duel involving him about to take place, as his motto of hard work and dedication was truly and inspiration for many to aspire. Because of that many truly wished to duel or wrestle him to achieve or even surpass the standards he set….many indeed, though certainly not the opponent who was scheduled to face him today….
Ed shuddered with fear, yet remained frozen in place unable to move up the stairs to the battlefield. He turned pale with terror as his heart pounded inside his chest as though it was dying to escape his body, as he began to bite his fingernails as he found himself paralysed completely with fear as everyone looked at him. Because of that many of the audience began to scowl at him in disgust or whisper all kinds of insults and gossips about him to one another.
"Just look at him, what a wimp."
"That's supposed to be a man? More like a baby in a man's skin…."
"To think he was the one who helped liberate Euro Town…."
A handful of the onlookers had some hope that Ed would do good in this battle despite what many others said, but even they were beginning to have doubts here and there as some even turned their backs on Ed believing he'd just mess up and embarrass himself. Others saw him as unworthy to face Craig and a complete waste of time.
"Glad I'm not in his shoes right now." Max sighed with relief, feeling glad he wasn't a cowardly embarrassment with big crowds like Ed was.
And yet still he and his friends couldn't help but feel immense pity for him, "Gee I almost feel sorry for him." From what they knew, among the Alpha gang trio he was the least mean and was often the unfortunate guy being forced into bad situations against his will.
"Well if you were facing off against someone like Craig you'd feel intimidated too." Cera added, just one look at the Captain of Earth and you could picture a massive mountain looming over you ready to drop a rockslide on you the moment an earthquake hits.
"True….I'm just glad we're not." Rex gulped anxiously as he looked ahead to the other side off the stage to see Craig popping his knuckles, each one as loud as a gun clicking as he grinned menacingly, eager to fold a certain foe of his like paper!
It wasn't just the D Team, even some of those who were close to him were having doubts in his ability to fight let alone win.
"He's dead."
"Yup, he's gonna get eaten alive." Rod and Laura bluntly stated shrugging their shoulders or shaking their heads with a deep sigh, if anything Ed ought to be writing his own will by now while they give him their deepest condolences.
Spike stuttered a little at their words, shocked even to think they had such poor faith in one of their own friends, even if he wasn't the best of them the fact he got no support at all from them was bewildering to him, "C…Come on kids, don't you think you're being a little harsh there?" He asked.
Rod folded his arms behind his head and scoffed in response, "Are you kidding? Have you seen Ed? If you've been around him long enough you'd be having doubts about his chances too." He huffed, "Frankly I'm surprised he actually made it to Round 2, then again he was fighting Zander…."
"Yeah, shame his luck's finally run out." Laura added at the end making no effort to sugar coat anything.
Spike was further taken aback, for kids they sure were rather heartless in a way which made him feel almost sorry for the Trio if they had to endure abuse from Dr Z and disrespect from the 2 siblings every single day of their lives. Plus given how dimwitted Ed can be and not to mention the cursed luck they bring with them wherever they go it's understandable why even his own family would doubt in him too, "S…Still you should have some faith in your friends…." He added. Spike then looked around and began to see most of the other families were in agreement with Rod and Laura which put him off a little, as doubtful as he was in Ed himself he didn't want him to be without any kind of support as he tried desperately to encourage it, "Isn't that right?" He asked their dad hoping he'd be the one to show some faith in his adoptive brother, "After all you were all raised together weren't you?"
Their father then sweat dropped a little at his words as he tried to avoid eye contact with Spike, "That's true…but…." He smiled a little nervously and scratched his cheek before chuckling with a little anxiety, "Ehehehehe…." thinking back he did the recall times Ed was usually slowest of all his 3 adoptive siblings, both physically and mentally. While there were times he was there he kept encouraging him to believe in himself in their childhood days, for him to believe that Ed would be capable of pulling off a win against Craig and making it all the way to the end of the Fossil League…..needless to say lacking faith in him would be an understatement to say the least.
"Err…." Spike sighed and lowered his head giving up, if there was anyone who believed in Ed's capabilities or chances of winning this match he wasn't going to find it here….or anywhere for that matter.
Hearing the various insults and whispers echoing around him, Ed gulped down swallowing a frog in his real dried out throat which really hurt a lot. Even if he couldn't hear them and even if he wasn't that bright, seeing them whisper and squinting at him, he was smart enough to know they were badmouthing him. His eyes began to tear up in terror and embarrassment wishing he could just crawl into a hole and never come out, as he felt himself on the verge of wetting his pants.
Having had enough of his shenanigans and nonsense, not to mention all the suspicious looks they were getting worldwide, Zander frantically yelled out at him in a panic, "Ed! What are you waiting for!? It's your turn so get up there already!" Despite his words Ed still didn't move a budge which further added fuel to Zander and Dr Z's impatience and annoyance.
"Yeah! Stop shaking in your booties! You're embarrassing us on live tv!" Dr Z hissed feeling just as paranoid as Zander was, "And by us I really mean me!" No way did he have any intention of his reputation as dinosaur king be tarnished by being looped together with cowards, otherwise no one especially his future followers and believers would take him seriously or respect him as their ruler. "So get up on that stage and win this round for the Alpha Gang already!" Unwilling to put up with him a second longer as he and Zander rushed out and bean pushing at him, trying to force him up stage which spurred him to plant his feet even harder into the ground!
Their fiasco was drawing in all sorts of attention of the wrong kind now, at this rate they'd be known as the laughing stock of the Fossil League. Ursula on the other hand didn't care about what everyone was saying about them, more importantly she was rather sympathetic towards her adoptive brother and actually felt for him for the first time, normally she'd give into her own sense of vanity and pride like Dr Z and Zander were now but for some reason she wasn't feeling herself today.
"B…But I'm scared you guys!" Ed whined as he felt his legs rooted to the spot despite Zander and Dr Z pushing at him, digging in his heels as they dragged on the ground while they turned red and sweated holding their breaths. "If I go out there, that drill sergeant's gonna bury me alive! There's no way I can win so why bother stepping out there into that war zone anyways!?"
As Zander, out of breath slumped to the ground gasping for precious air, Dr Z gained several bulging veins and tic marks on his bald forehead, gnashing his teeth and tensing his fingers into a fist. He had it up to here with Ed's excuses and nonsense and he was about to really let him have it! "Why you snivelling scaredy cat! I've had it up to here with your excuses and-"
"GAH!" Ed covered his face with his hands, but before Dr Z could land a punch, it was suddenly grabbed!
"Huh?" Looking back in surprise he saw Ursula was the one who held him back as she looked down on him sternly.
"That's enough Dr Z, I'll handle this." She told him, clenching her grip on his hand making Dr Z wince with pain as she let go as he tensed up and grimaced while she walked over to where Ed was. At first Ed was a little relieved that he got saved from a beatdown by Dr Z he quickly shuddered when Ursula walked up to him as he covered his head down worrying for the biggest thrashing of his life! To his surprise, and Zander and Dr Z's too, he felt a gently stroke over his shoulder which made him look up to see Ursula with a rather gently look on her face, "Look Ed, I know you're scared and wouldn't hesitate at the first chance to run away." She sighed, "And believe me, I actually feel the same way too."
He blinked his eyes in surprise, "Y…You do?" Humility and kindness were 2 things Ed and the others never would have expected from Ursula, let alone be capable of.
"Of course," Ursula smiled rather kindly as she patted him on the back, "I mean we've grown up together so we know each other so well inside and out, even knowing how many times Dr Z has given us a beating for our screw ups." As she said that Dr Z held in a snicker which Zander grumbled at not finding it humorous in the slightest.
As Ed gave it some thought he had to agree with what she was saying, "Y…Yeah you're right about that….So why aren't you planning an escape right now?" He then asked.
"Duh! It's because I won't allow it!" Dr Z suddenly spat, only to be silenced by Ursula as she glared ferociously at him!
"Shut it Dr Z!" She hissed feral making him turn pale and yelp along with Zander!
"Eep! Sorry…." He squeaked as he hid behind Zander who froze stiff and shuddered uncontrollably.
Turning away from them she sported her more casual look towards Ed as she put both her hands on his shoulders, "What Dr Z means to say is that we're gonna stick by you and see this whole thing through to the end." She said.
"I am?" Dr Z blinked in surprise, only for a menacing aura to form around Ursula, as she flared her reddish demonic eyes at him he clammed up and nodded frantically, "I mean yes! That's exactly it! Hehehe!" He chuckled nervously.
Ed, oblivious to what was going on brightened up, "Whoa you really mean it!?" He gasped in surprise having not expected this.
Ursula nodded at him encouragingly, "Of course Ed, and I know if I were in your position, which I'm so glad I'm not." She then added quickly, "You'd do the same for me too." She said to him with a smile, "After all we're not just the Alpha Gang, we're family too, and family never gets left behind." Ed smiled feeling motivated before blinking his eyes realising that Ursula's words weren't entirely true as she quickly corrected herself, "Of course there were those others times we tried to ditch each other before but that was then and this is now. Hee hee…." She giggled at the end hoping she didn't end things off on an awkward note….but it was good enough for Ed.
"Wow Ursula, I didn't know you could actually be nice," Zander then blurted out before twirling his finger around implying he thought she was crazy, "Are you still sick or are being brainwashed by some goodie goodie space alien?"
WHAM!
Ursula then smacked him down silly with a large paper fan she pulled out of nowhere as she had a small tic mark over her calm smiling face which was more unsettling than her usual angered one, though it was enough to convince the rest of her pals that she was still herself, "Urgh…nope…..you're good…." He groaned holding up a weak thumbs up while Dr Z turned pale and shivered.
Meanwhile Ed tensed his fists a little feeling more motivated and his resolve hardened, "Wow suddenly I feel so motivated already…." He told himself before mustering up all his energy and sporting his best game face of all, "Okay! I'll give it my best shot!"
Ursula smiled and clapped her hands together happy for him, "And just so you know me and Dr Z will be right behind you after this." She said as Zander and Dr Z soon followed.
"Atta boy Ed! You've totally got this!" Zander lied but of course he didn't need to know that.
"You go get em! Show them the power of the Alpha Gang!" Dr Z punched forward, caring only about the glory of the Alpha Gang.
Ed unaware of their true motives, smiled filmed with restored hope as he began to step forward bravely towards the stage, as the audience's rants or murmurs were slowly silenced as they watched on either surprise that Ed actually had the guts to even make a step towards the battlefield, or only waited on in anticipation of the fight to come. It was then that felt Ursula grab his arm, as he stopped to look back at her, "And know this Ed."
"Yes?" He asked curiously if there was something more she had to ask him, also expecting some more motivational encouragement from her too as he smiled at ease.
She then smiled back at him and patted him on the back, as he expected some last few words of motivation from her….what he got from her was a little of both, "If you don't make it, we'll make sure your remains get back home safe and sound."
He widened his eyes and blinked fort a few minutes, as he realised what she meant, "EH!?" He gasped in alarm and surprise that she had the nerve to say such brutally honest words at him.
"Yup we promise we'll put you where you'll be resting peacefully." She nodded at the end, hoping to encourage him that no matter the outcome of the duel he would be treated as a hero either way, and also not denying that a part of her didn't believe he could win.
"G….Gee thanks for the vote of confidence…." Ed muttered feeling his spirits knocked down again, but as he looked ahead seeing he was just 1 step away from the stage there was no going back now. Tensing his hands into tight fists, he pumped himself up and narrowed his eyes and breathed 1 deep breath before walking up to the stage as he stared face to face with Craig who grinned rather menacingly at him, to see he finally made it at last, ready to face his destiny like a man! The mere sight of him made the plump man gulp and sweat nervously as his bravado and bravery was already starting to bleed out of him with each drop of sweat running down from his brow and body!
"Ladies and gentlemen get yourselves ready for round 3 shall soon begin at last!" The MC announced out to the masses, finally able to move past the awkwardness of the Alpha Gang at first and hoping it would please everyone at last, "Between these 2 users of Earth who shall emerge on top today! The Alpha Gang's Ed or the Resistance's Captain Craig!"
While many loud cheers echoed out, received they could finally get to the good part, many were already casting bets and votes already, believing it would end in a landslide in Craig's victory. Ed was able to hear some of their comments and gossip, and while part of him felt discouraged by them not believing in him another part pot him was offended and agitated by them believing the fight was already decided, and how deeply he wanted to prove them wrong, for both the Alpha Gang and his own sake.
His thoughts were soon interrupted by a booming voice in front of him, "Hehehe well well, looks like is now down to you and me porkchop." The burly bodybuilder snickered at him, "Have to hand it to you, didn't think you'd finally work up whatever little guts and dignity you had left to come and face me man to man." He snarked which the D Team found to be rather low.
"Ouch….kinda harsh there…." Max winced at his words seeing the Earth Captain had intended it given Ed's round body size.
"Yeah, was that really necessary?" said Zoe feeling sorry for the Alpha Gang, as they too narrowed their eyes or gritted their teeth in anger towards him. To insult one of them would be to be making an offence at them all.
Ed gained a huge tic mark on his head, all his worries faded away and was replaced with red hot anger as he gritted his teeth and tensed his fist out at Craig, "Hey! The name's Ed! It's not that hard to remember!" He retorted. If there was one thing he hates and wouldn't tolerate, it's being reminded of his weight and low self esteem, "Plus, is that some way to talk to one of the guys who helped you all out back in Euro Town! You oughta show some respect!"
Craig scoffed uncaringly in response, "Hmph, respect is something you need to earn! No way is it going to be handed over to you on a silver plate." he replied, "Sure you and your pals did good a while back but that was then and this is now. It's all business here in the battlefield, so show me just how tough are you if you want any respect from anyone at all."
"He's….not wrong there." Zander thought about it as he scratched his head in thought.
"Grrr….." Dr Z growled as he vowed to show them all that deserves respect above all others in the world, and when his turn comes he will burn it into their very eyes!
Seeing it was more than just the match and his victory at stake, the Alpha gang's honour and dignity was also on the line, as Ed realised what he was fighting for he vowed to make them all proud as he bellowed out a battle challenge to the Earth Captain, "Alright I'll show you all who's the toughest of em all!" He yelled out. With all their past battles and endured punishments from times before there was no way he running away from a mere bully, he was going to make him eat his own words about earning respect as he took out his card, "Alpha slash! Clobber them saichania!" He slashed out summoning Tank to full size as she appeared and landed on the field making the crowds cheer with excitement.
In face of Tank's hostile battle cry, Ed was hoping he'd impress or intimidate his rival as Tank wagged her tail towards him and stomped her foot. But his smile of anticipation vanished when Craig instead grinned rather sneakily in response to his surprise, "Hehehe, we'll see who gets clobbered soon enough!" He chuckled eager to call Ed's bluff as he took out his card and dinoshot, "Alpha slash! Grind em to dust Ankylosaurus!" Appearing before him in purple light, was a larger more menacing ankylosaur who let out a big bellow at Ed and Tank before slamming his tail on the ground making Ed lift off the ground for just a small moment!
"WAH!" Ed yelped as he landed back down and stumbled backwards on his butt. Even Tank was rather intimidated by the foe she was to face as her aggressive attitude started to become a little more passive as she quieted down and even stepped back a bit nervously as the large Alpha ankylosaur growled at them both, raising up his own clubbed tail and revealing the threatening color patterns across his armoured back!
"Alright Bash! Front and centre!" Craig commanded as the ankylosaurus followed his orders to a T as he stomped towards the centre of the field, before lifting up on his hind legs and slamming down, causing the entire arena to shake as the vibrations shook the spectators around them catching them all off guard. "Hehe, good to see you ready to report for duty and eager to join the frontlines." Craig grinned proudly as he patted his dinosaur on the leg to which he responded with a riled up and ready grunt, making Ed all the more anxious and nerve wrecked as he quaked in his boots, suddenly his bravery was replaced by sheer terror.
The right of this Alpha dinosaur put many onlookers on edge, feeling pity for anyone who would be forced to go up against such a monster, in this case, Ed!
"Another alpha dinosaur…."
"Uh oh this doesn't look good for Ed…."
"Since when has anything looked good for him?" Max and the others each commented uneasily.
"Ngh…." Dr Z was most conflicted, one hand seeing a glorious alpha dinosaur brought joy to his eyes but to see it in the hands of an individual who would stand in the way of his Alpha Gang's glory was tearing him up from the inside out as he grasped his forehead in frustration, "Oh why must life be so unfair!" He whined out feeling most torn, even resorting to pulling on his beard in frustration as Zander and Ursula both sighed and shook their heads at him in disapproval.
Looking ahead they then gulped worried for Ed as he was forced to undertake this battle alone.
"Bash here is one of the finest members of my platoon!" Craig then boasted out with pride as he patted the ankylosaur's leg, "He's a lot like me! Persistent and enduring! We'll persevere through anything all the way! And when the going gets tough no way will we be going anywhere!" He praised his partner patting him on the leg making the huge dino hum with pleasure, as Craig turned his way at Ed, "Can the same be said for you and your dino?" He questioned.
Ed clicked his tongue, insulting and intimidating him was one thing but no way was he going to let anyone get away with mocking his friends! "Tch! There's no backing out now, let's do this thing already!" He yelled throwing out his hand as Tank roared out, a show of strength that impressed the Alpha Gang and some of the D Team too, they never expected Ed to have it in him.
Craig then smirked liking Ed's response, "Heh, seems you've got stones and I like it." He complimented, perhaps he wasn't a total disappointment after all, though that remained to be seen, "Let's see if they break!"
"Both sides are raring to go already! Let's not keep them waiting any longer folks! Go time warp!" The MC announced as an energy dome enveloped the field and the 2 duelists present! As the light cleared out it revealed both duelists and their dinosaurs in a dried up river bed with large boulders and tall rock stacks around them with large canyon like walls on both sides surrounding them in. And yet it was still an ideal battlefield for earth dinosaurs to demonstrate their toughness and ability to make use of the terrain around them too.
A breeze of wind blew across the field sending a piece of tumbleweed rolling by as Ed and Craig along with their partners stared one another down. Ed sweated nervously, as he could feel his opponents were looming over them like a huge mountain wall and how its shadow enveloped him completely, that just showed the level of power he had to somehow overcome if he was to win. Craig observed him closely, folding his arms and waiting to see what he would try first, as the audience looked on in anticipation.
Despite the negative thoughts and worries he had in his mind telling him he had no chance, as he closed his eyes and gritted his teeth almost in pain and agony, he then recalled the words Ursula told him right before this very moment. Remembering them clearly as they washed over his fears, he then opened his eyes with determination and bravery as he mustered up everything he had and yelled out, "Go Tank! Attack!" He called out as Tank shrieked and rushed forward into battle as the audience cheered with excitement as the battle went underway!
"Heh, a head on attack on us? You're either confident or just recklessly stupid." Craig smirked in amusement though he decided to play Ed's game if it also meant testing his mettle, "But fine by me! That's just how I like it! Get em Bash!" He threw out his arm as his ankylosaurus stomped forward!
Both heavyweights rammed one another head on, the sound of their armoured heads clashed head on to each other sending a shockwave through the area! Ed had to hold out his arm to brace himself as he gritted his teeth and dug in his heels to stabilise himself,"Urrgh!" While Craig remained undeterred as it was like a mere breeze in his face! With that out of the way, both armoured herbivores swung out their tails at one another as they clashed with one another almost like swords! While Tank's tail was armed with sharp spikes, Bash's was equipped with tough body armour which repelled them! They clashed furiously multiple times and everyone could feel the immense impact from each one as the tails and clubs made contact with one another multiple times!
"WHOA!"
"Man look at that power!"
"I'd hate to be on the receiving end of those tails…." Everyone gasped unnerved at the sheer power that the earth element possessed while others cheered and roared with energy simply captivated by the amazing battle they were witnessing first hand!
As the clashes continued, while Bash was unfazed with the constant attack barrage from Tank and having to defend at every one of them, Tank's movements were beginning to slow slightly as her strikes seemed to become less frequent and she seemed to be panting even, "Bash being the bigger dino clearly has the edge in strength, stamina and durability." Cera noted as she observed the situation closely.
Rex narrowed his eyes seeing what she meant, "Yeah but Tank's faster without a doubt, no way can this match be settled by specs alone." He commented.
Cera nodded in agreement with him, "You're right Rex, experience and skill matters too." It was then she narrowed her eyes most uneasily, "But between them both who do you think may take the edge in that?" Her friends shared her worries too for it was clear what the obvious answer was for that question.
Soon Ed began to realise that as he sweated tensely under pressure, "Tch! This isn't working…." As Tank began to slow down it didn't take long for her tail to eventually be smacked away by Bash's like a fly and she cried out in pain!
"Ed! Quit messing around and get serious already!" Dr Z yelled shaking out his fists in a rage.
"This is a real battle! You don't need to hold anything back at all!" Ursula called out to him after, but not in an angered tone but simply stating the facts and no more.
"R…Right!" Ed stuttered at their words as he quickly put on his game face, "Let's give this a try! Dino swing!" He declared slashing his move, as Tank flashed and shrieked! Bash attempted to knock her out before she could initiate the move, but instinctively she ducked down in time as the tail missed her, as she then grabbed said tail in her jaws as Ed cheered pumping up his arms, "Aw yeah! Way to go Tank!" He cheered as she began to muster her upper body strength and being to swing there larger dinosaur around like a rag doll over her head in several circles!
"AH!" Many of the audience gasped in surprise to find Bash actually vulnerable for once! While others yelled out in anger, no way had they expected Craig to be shown such disrespect by a snivelling coward like Ed of all people.
"Not bad." Raina whistled impressed, neither she nor the other captains saw that coming before she pushed up on her glasses seriously, "But if Ed think this enough to put a dent in Craig's armour then he's got another thing coming."
Ed, unaware of that fact grinned cheekily seeing Craig scowling at him in annoyance, "Grrr…." The burly captain growled swearing he wasn't going to get away with this humiliation.
"Hehe what's the matter? Your dino's getting dizzy?" Ed mocked him before throwing down his arm, "Now slam!" he commanded as Tank hoisted Bash up high and began to slam him hard onto he ground!
A second before he made contact with the solid ground underneath, "Heh." The earth captain smirked sneakily slashing a move card, as Tank slammed the ankylosaurus onto the ground so hard it caused a massive cloud of dust to erupt! As it soon cleared, she was taken aback along with Ed to see her opponent was nowhere to be seen but instead a giant hole remained!
"Huh!?" He gasped in surprise while others widened their eyes! "Wh…Where did he go!?" Ed looked around but could find no trace of the ankylosaurus anywhere.
"What's this!? Captain Craig's dinosaur has vanished from sight!" The MC announced much to Dr Z's chagrin.
"Huh!? Since when do dinosaurs vanish into thin air!? No fair! I want mine to do that!" he whined as he shook out his arms childishly.
Ursula and Zander quickly realised what this actually was, "That's no disappearing act Dr Z…."
Ed too as he widened his eyes in realisation, "Wait a sec…isn't this like?" As the ground began to quake underneath Tank, Ed cried out in alarm! "Oh no! Tank get out of there now!" Unfortunately his warning came too late as Bash erupted under the saichania's vulnerable underbelly, causing her to be thrown high up into the air! "WAAAH!" Ed could only stand and watch, flailing out his hands in a panic as Tank landed hard on the ground upside down, stranded like a turtle on its back as she struggled in vain to get back on her feet, a task not so easy given her own spines were wedged into the ground and being at the mercy of Bash and Craig!
"You got too complacent and now you face the consequences!" Craig bellowed out to Ed's annoyance and frustration.
"Grrgh!"
"Hmph! I was expecting more of a challenge but this is truly disappointing." The earth captain then scoffed feeling most letdown and underwhelmed, hoping that Ed would have given him more of a fight after seeing his duel last round, but alas it wasn't meant to be as he decided to cast him off as the dust covering a diamond, "Oh well, time to get this over with." He shrugged his shoulders uncaringly as Bash roared out and lumbered towards the now vulnerable Tank!
Ed sweated and gritted his teeth, "I've gotta do something before he hits Tank in her weak spot…." He then widened his eyes and snapped his fingers in realisation, "Wait I've got it!" Reacting fast he called out to her, "Tank! Flip yourself up with the tail move you did a while back!" Hearing his words, Tank mustered up the energy in her clubbed tail, using it like a lever she then managed to flip herself off her back and land onto her feet once more before shrieking out at Bash who stopped in his tracks in surprise. Even Craig was slightly taken aback by that as he blinked.
"Not bad, that was pretty good." Blaze whistled impressed, maybe Ed was a better duelist than he or anyone else had given him credit for.
"Nice!" Ursula clapped.
"Good thinking Ed!" Dr Z and Zander both cheered with joy.
"Phew, he's not out yet." Max sighed with relief, not expecting to actually be rooting for a member of the Alpha Gang, just that he didn't want the match to end so quickly.
"Yeah…." Cera nodded with a light smile before it turned to a frown, "But he's not out of danger yet either…." He was a long way off from winning, way she saw it Craig still held a dangerous advantage over him in the battle, skill and experience.
As Ed pumped himself up feeling more confident in himself, Craig nodded impressed, "Nice reflexes, didn't think you'd be able to get out of it that easily." He admitted but quickly returned to the business of winning the duel with another move! "But let's see how you handle dark earth!" The ankylosaurus shone purple as he summoned forth a black stone from the ground and prepared to drop it on Tank's head!
Luckily Ed was quicker to respond, "How about this?! Earth barrier!" No way was he planning on dropping his guard again, as Tank slammed on the ground generating piles of rock that collected around her in an earth shield which easily deflected the rock as it smashed harmlessly on top of her.
"A splendid guard and what perfect timing!" The MC cheered as his quick thinking impressed many of the onlookers present.
"That was smart of Ed." Rex had to admit.
Zoe shrugged her shoulders and snickered cheekily, "Guess even he has his moments too."
"Let's enjoy it while it lasts…." Cera added after that, not getting her hopes too high for the Alpha gang. Looking back at their past history and knowing how unkind the universe was to them, she had a feeling their luck wouldn't last long so they ought to savour their moment while they still could.
Back at the duel, Bash slammed his tail down on the ground in annoyance and roared out in frustration towards the saichania who shrieked back at him in defiance, "Your dino's tough I've gotta admit." said Craig admitting it.
Ed couldn't help but blush a little as he grinned and scratched the back of his head feeling most flattered, "Hehe, why thank you."
Craig's smile soon vanished and was replaced with a disapproved expression, "Too bad the same can't be said about you chubby." He then sighed as Ed widened his eyes in alarm at his words.
"EH!? What gives!?"
It was then Craig pointed out at him sternly, "Just one look at you, and seeing how you fight, I can already tell. You and your pals, you're the kind of guys who hide behind your dinosaurs and make them do all the fighting and work while you just sit on the sidelines. I'm right aren't I?" He said with a tone of upmost authority and firmness which pierced right through the hearts of the whole Alpha Gang. "As far as I'm concerned, I feel sorry for whatever dinosaur has to put up with the lot of you, if anything I'd be surprised if any dinosaur would be willing to be part of whatever kingdom you guys are going to build." He scoffed shaking his head in disappointment, those very words cutting deep into the spirits and hearts of the entire Alpha Gang, rendering them speechless and at a loss for words.
"I…I…." Ed found himself at a lost for words. As he reflected upon himself he began to see the past few times they made Terry, Tank and Spiny do all the fighting in the field yet that was mainly the only time they spent with them, and rarely did they have any actual fun and bonding with them outside of a battle. That went to Rod and Laura, and any times they did have together was either disciplining them or trying to chase after them after they made a mess. Overall….they merely used their dinosaurs and no more, and he soon began to question whether he or the others actually truly cared for them too, the fact Dr Z wanted to build a dinosaur kingdom this whole time yet was doing so based on his own ambitions and not caring about the dinosaurs themselves…could he really be considered a king that way? Also could he bring himself to follow someone like that too?
Silence soon descended on the field, finding Craig's words to be most true but also punishing. Some of them, especially the Alpha family were beginning to feel real sorry for Dr Z and his followers the way Craig pointed out such a hard truth their way, as much as they wanted to say something back to defend them, the Earth Captain's words were really well embedded within them they could bring themselves to be able to.
"Ooh…now that's really gotta sting." Zoe winced feeling as though she was being addressed herself.
"Yikes, brutal honesty and nothing but the truth…." Max gulped as he turned a little pale and sweated just thinking about it.
"He's…kinda right in a way though…." Rex admitted, though at the same time partially worried if this would throw a wedge into Dr Z's dreams of building his dinosaur kingdom which would then cause this future to be.
"Sugar coating isn't something Craig is ever known for after all." Cera added as she remembered seeing Craig badmouth or belittle those in his platoon whenever they showed results below his expectations, as a way to weed out weaklings either by spurring them to do better or drive those without heart away.
At their corner, Dr Z soon snapped out of his, this time fuming red with immense rage, for some no name to belittle him and his glorious kingdom was something he would not stand for! "Ed! You're not gonna sit back and let him get away with that are you!? Let him have it! Your king commands it!" He yelled out furiously as Zander soon gritted his teeth and joined in.
"Yeah! Make him eat his words!" He yelled shaking out his fists in a rage!
Ursula however, didn't respond at all. In fact she was still deep in thought regarding the captain's words aimed at them regarding the dinosaurs. She couldn't deny there was a time she only thought about them as cards and not living creatures with actual souls. This was something to take back for her and making her rethink about whom she was, along with what she had done earlier last round….
Ed then clenched his fists meanwhile and gritted his teeth in anger, "Grr! I'm gonna make you sorry you said that! No one badmouths me and my pals and gets away with it!" He yelled determined to make Craig eat his words, "Let's see how you like a taste of your own medicine!" He yelled slashing another move, "Mole attack!" Turning purple, Tank roared out as she leapt up into the sky before spinning like a ball and then burrowing underground leaving a giant hole where she landed, as Ed grinned sneakily, seeing he could get Craig where it hurts now and he wouldn't be able to stop it, "Hehe!"
To his surprise, Craig then grinned back at him! "Ha! You think you can actually use my own moves against me!? Think again!" He retorted to his shock!
"Huh!?"
Craig soon took out a move to prove his point, "Watch and learn! You may copy my moves but that's all your are! A pale imitation! Now you'll see how a real earth user commands the land!" He bellowed out as he slashed, "Gigarock hammer!" Purple energy collected around the ankylosaurus' tail till it sprouted a giant crystal hammer! Wagging his tail, Bash then launched himself into the air and slammed so hard on the ground creating a tremendous shockwave that forced Tank out to the ground as she was sent flying out and crashing hard onto the ground!
"No way!" Ed gasped in alarm as he stuttered back!
"AH!" Everyone stared in disbelief and sheer shock at what they just saw.
"What power! How can this be!?" Dr Z widened his eyes in disbelief and shock at a sight they never expected or thought possible.
"I didn't know mole attack could be countered like that…." Rex breathed in amazement as he remembered it all too well.
He could also see Craig was both headstrong and to the point, the force and strength from each of his attacks were just as immense as the words he spoke.
Ed sweated tensely as Tank struggled to get up, as she shook the dust off her body, "Urgh…." He grunted starting to get tired but he wasn't about to give up so easily, "I'm not done yet! Spike arrows!" He yelled as he activated the move making Tank fire out a barrage of spikes from her club which then rained down upon where Bash was!
"Ha! A weak attack like that is never gonna get through MY earth barrier!" Craig laughed as Bash did the same as Tank did, slamming hard to generate earth from the ground as it collected around him like a shield as the arrows harmlessly bounced off!
"No way!" Ed gasped, "He's got the same move too!?" He was now beginning to realise how little he actually knew on how to fight with earth or using an earth dinosaur.
Craig smirked, "Heh, a rock solid defence built upon an impenetrable iron foundation! That's how I battle, so it's only natural I have this too!" He boasted as he pointed at himself before pointing out at Ed, "I know the principles and spirit of earth itself, something you don't even come close to understanding!"
Ed felt those words attack his own heart like emotional daggers, as he gritted his teeth almost in pain, but that made him angry and more determined to prove the sergeant wrong and even shut him up, "Oh yeah!? Time to bring out the big guns!" Ed retorted grabbing a move card, "Go Quake saber!" Tank flashed purple as a crystal sprouted on her tail club before growing into a massive saber to which she shrieked viciously as she waved it out at Bash hoping to intimidate him.
Instead Bash roared back unfazed as much as Craig was! "You think a little toothpick is gonna even scratch me and Bash!? You'd wish!" The earth captain bellowed back at Ed as he pulled out a move of his own! "Gigarock hammer!" In response, purple energy gathered around the ankylosaurus' club before creating a massive crystal mace! Bash then leapt up and swung down his tail as he brought the hammer down causing it to grow in size dwarfing Tank's own weapon to her and Ed's alarm!
"WAAAAH!" Ed cried out as the hammer shattered through the crystal sword and slammed Tank hard onto the ground as she lay down in a cracked crater on her last knees while Bash still remained strong as he bellowed out in victory!
"I don't believe my eyes!" Dr Ancient gasped in shock with the others, quake saber was one of the most powerful earth moves there was and for it to be countered so easily like that was unliveable! Truly this showed the power of the future was beyond anything they could expect.
"That all you've got?" Craig scoffed disappointedly, "I've punched holes in rock walls way harder than anything you've thrown at me so far!"
Ed winced, "W…Well try this rock on for size!" He retorted in desperation, "Rock roller!" Tank then flashed purple as she slammed on the ground summoning piles of earth that collected together into a massive boulder! She spun around it before smacking it with her tail and sending it crash towards Craig at high speed!
Unfazed in the slightest, the earth captain punched forward with all his might, "Break it down with crystal crusher!" Bash summoned forth a set of crystal lances from the ground which then aimed right in front of him! He then charged with full force at the incoming boulder, smashing through it with ease before punching straight through Tank as she was sent flying across the canyon through a large rock stack and then coming to a stop nearby!
"Tank!" Ed cried out as he ran over to where she lay far off as the audience gasped in awe and shock at the sheer power of Craig's ankylosaurus!
"What incredible strength and tenacity!" The MC announced, "Craig easily smashes through anything Ed sends his way! We could be seeing a fast one sided battle here folks! It's like going up against a moving fortress! An immovable object combined with unstoppable force!" He concluded as the crowds erupted with cheers of excitement, many beginning to cheer their captain on to wipe away Ed as though he were like dust on a mirror.
Others though felt the opposite, "Gosh I feel really bad about what Tank's going through right now…." Laura gulped down nervously seeing the punishment she was going through before covering her eyes and looking away, "I really can't watch this…." She sighed as her mom patted her gently on the back to comfort her while feeling bad herself.
"Man that guy's a real jerk…." Rod gritted his teeth as he tightened his grip on his elbows, if he were fighting down there he'd mop the canyon floor with his face for sure!
Meanwhile Ed had just made it to where Tank was as she appeared badly injured lying down against the wall of the canyon she slammed against after her crash! "Tank!" He called out to her as he looked over to see she was breathing slowly and her eyes drooped somewhat as she struggled to keep them open, only managing to get a blurry view of her partner stroking her head, "Y…You okay?" He asked with concern, hoping to calm her down. She let out a low but weak growl, as Ed sighed with regret for failing her, despite being one of the toughest dinosaurs he had ever known, Ed could see the damage she had taken was immense and he was starting to wonder if she could even lift up her lead let alone stand up.
"Hmph! How dare you call yourself a user of earth yet challenge me with those lame excuses for attacks!?" Craig suddenly shouted at him as Ed looked back, stuttering and shaking immensely under pressure at both the battle and from the emotional attacks he was being hit with each word uttered at him.
Ed stuttered back and sweated nervously, "W…Well I never claimed to be an earth user myself!" He tried to defend himself before twiddling his fingers with shame, "Besides I've used other types of dinosaurs before…." He then muttered under his breath.
"That's besides the point!" Craig retorted disgusted with such an unacceptable excuse, "The fact is you use an earth dinosaur yet you don't even know to the basic principles of the earth! You may know to summon a dinosaur and use moves with them, but the fact is you don't understand what it means to truly fight with or as one with your dinosaur!"
"AH!" As Ed stuttered back and fell on his butt, as he thought it over he began to question himself on the inside whether he had been fighting right with Tank this whole time. While he may have been making her fight all kinds of tough battles before and made her use moves, he felt as though now that he didn't understand the heart of the earth itself or the dinosaur he uses. Almost as though he wasn't even aware of her true potential or whether he was even capable of tapping into said power himself…questioning whether he could call himself worthy of even using a dinosaur to begin with….
"Grrgh! Just who does this loudmouth think he is huh!?" Dr Z growled feeling insulted himself, for anyone who badmouths or attacks one of the Alpha Gang is equivalent to attacking all of them!
"Yeah he doesn't know what he's yapping about!" Zander yelled out in agreement before cheering Ed on, "Ed! Give him the thrashing like he deserves!"
To their surprise….Ed simply, stared into distance space….doing nothing….
"Ed?"
"Umm...Ed?" They called out to him, but got no response…..as he fell to his knees and lowered his head down.
It was then they began to realise the emotional struggle that was going through him right this moment, and realising how insensitive they were to him after how hard he fought to defend their honour….they couldn't bring themselves to say anymore after that.
"C…Cera?" Zoe then asked her as she looked to her concerned friends, "Don't you think he's being rather harsh?"
"Man….Talk about rubbing salt in your open wounds….was that really necessary?" No way Max could condone kicking an opponent mercilessly while they lay down helplessly on the ground like that.
Cera lowered her head and sighed, "I can understand what you mean guys….believe me I've had my share of belittling and harsh criticism from Craig himself when I trained under his platoon." She replied not approving of this either, "But then again that's just how he is, tough to the core even in love." She then added.
Rex then looked ahead to see Craig and Bash still standing before the wounded Tank and equally emotionally wounded Ed, "So then….My guess is….he's trying to spur Ed to fight harder and better?" He asked.
"That's just the surface." Cera responded to him as he and the others focused on her and her words "I believe, he's acting as a mountain for Ed to surmount, as far back during training days he was seeking only the most hardened and determined of all to join the fight." She narrowed her eyes as she recalled some of the harsh words and training regimes he forced the trainees to undertake such as leaping over huge pitfalls across rocky stacks, pulling through quick sand or climbing up rock faces without any safety gear or help, it was the kind of training that really pushes the human body to their limits to the verge of breaking. "That's how he's managed to not only sieve out the gems from the pebbles but also refined the soldiers to their purest and best state possible to meet the challenges ahead during the war. He's never changed that philosophy once, even if a thousand years were to pass he'd still hold onto those ways to the end." She said at the end.
"I see what you mean….." Rex replied seeing the logic in his words, but as he looked ahead again he narrowed his eyes feeling most conflicted, "Still I think he's going way overboard with this."
Zoe nodded, "Yeah, no way does Ed deserve all those words he's throwing at him…." They all knew the Alpha Gang were tough and were capable of enduring all kinds of pain and abuse….but this…they were beginning to doubt whether he or the others could actually bounce back from this.
"That guy….is he really right? All this time have I, no, have we really not understood how our dinosaurs feel and fight?" Ed thought to himself feeling himself trapped in regret's chains at this stunning revelation, as he began to remember all the battles he and the others put their dinos through nearly every day without considering their feelings or truly connecting with them in battle. Making them do unnecessary moves, being careless in instructions, more than he could count, "All this time we've kinda been making them for granted….."
ROAR!
Ed blinked his eyes in surprise as he was snapped out of his thoughts, "Huh? Tank?" As he looked to her she had managed to get back up on her feet and eyed him seriously as she growled inn his face, and he began to listen to her closely at both the sounds she was sending his way and from the expression she was giving him. "You….still wanna keep going girl?" He asked to which she nodded and shrieked back at him as she wagged her tail ready to obey. As he looked back on their past battles, he could see Tank was loyal to them through many fights before, from their first battles against the D Team and through Space and Time against the space pirates, and while they still had their ups and downs now and then the fact remained she was still their loyal ally.
Ed had now realised that and the times before their dinosaurs may have given their all for them but they haven't given back to them in return….The fact he was caring for Tank now and truly wanting to understand her after being enlightened by Craig's words, he breathed deeply, "Is this what it means to be one with your dino?" A small smile then appeared on his face," Heh, can't believe I almost forgot all that….." He chuckled in amusement as he began to think back ion each word that was said to him, the manner they were delivered and why it was brought up. As Ed began top put 2 and 2 together, it was all beginning to click for him as he widened his eyes in realisation, "Maybe he was just trying to make me remember so we never forget…." For him to forget the basics of bonds, was an error he resolved to correct and to make sure it stayed through to the ends of time, as he pumped himself up and surged with energy! "Alright Tank, let's do this! RAAARGH!" He yelled at the top of his lungs as Tank exploded in an aura of power and awakened!
"Whoa! Ed just awakened Tank! Could this be a turnaround!?" The MC announced in surprise as it got the crowds more interested in how things would play out now.
"Nice!" Ursula smiled brightly as Ed and Tank's rebound began to spark a sense of hope for them all.
"Huh….I didn't think Ed had it in him to bounce back from that…." Dr Z breathed in amazement, an unusual feeling came over him, one of pride and joy that a father would over his own kid, "I can't believe I'm gonna say this but…go Ed!" He then whistled as everyone else even Rod and Laura began cheering for him, really hoping for him to win it for them all!
"Go Tank!"
"That's the way to do it Ed! Now go and make us proud!"
"Yeah!"
The sight of Ed receiving so much support and those who believed in him, as well as seeing him being one with his dinosaur put a smile on Craig's face, "Hehe, that's it. Now you're starting to get the hang of it." he snickered seeing he was finally understanding it and hopefully it would stay embedded within him as his cornerstone, before assuming a fighting stance, "Now come on! Bring it! Bash and I will take everything you can throw at us!" He bellowed out a challenge as Bash roared out and smashed his tail on the ground cracking the earth underneath his club!
Ed grinned back at him in response, "Then I'm just gonna have to throw something harder!" He yelled out with Tank shrieking fiercely as she smashed the rubble away from her with her own tail! Ed then narrowed his eyes as he knew he couldn't just fight head on anymore given his earlier attempts didn't even faze or scratch his opponents, he needed a different approach now. "I've gotta fight smart….somehow…." As that thought came to mind he blinked his eyes realising something, "Wait a sec…." Seeing Tank and Bash closely, being both ankylosaurs they both had the same physiology so not doubt they both shared the same physical similarities and weaknesses too….which meant…."Of course!" He gasped in realisation as he began to realise what Craig meant about truly understanding the dinosaurs of the earth, patting a fist into his hand, "Alright Tank! Time to hit them where it really hurts!" Ed cheered her on as she shrieked out acknowledging his command.
"You? Hurt me?" Craig blinked his eyes in surprised before exploding into humoured laughter, "Hahahaha! Now that's a joke if I ever heard one."
"Oh it's no joke, and we'll prove it to you here and now!" Ed declared as he pointed out at Craig with a firm voice and expression which made the captain's smirk vanish, "And maybe this oughta make you clam up too! Cos no one looks down on me and Tank!" Looking to Tank she nodded ready for his command as he smiled back at her, glad to have her trust, as he slashed out what may be his game changer, "Gaia mountain!" Tank flashed purple surging with energy! She charged forward and before Bash could retaliate, she swung out her tail at his face, her club smacking him so hard it threw him off balance! Seizing the opportunity she rushed forward and flipped him high into the sky!
"WHAT!?" Craig widened his eyes in alarm, caught off guard, never did he expect that saichania to be capable of doing that to Bash as everyone gasped in amazement!
"Whoa!"
She wasn't done yet, as Tank summoned forth a giant violet crystal from the earth and swinging her tail at it, smashed it into several pieces and sent them flying towards Bash, helpless in the air as he got struck by them! Finally she called forth giant crystals from the earth, striking the helpless ankylosaurus as he plummeted to the ground, each one striking him upwards one after the other before the last one pierced right through him! He roared in immense pain as the crystal gave way and cracked under his weight as he crashed down to the ground helpless on his back and to everyone's shock and amazement!
The MC widened his eyes and fell off his seat in disbelief, "I don't believe it! Ed has actually managed to find a chink in Craig's armour! Has the once mighty wall finally started to crumble?!"
"I knew it." Cera smiled as the others looked on in amazement, "As strong and well trained as Craig is, no matter how much hard work one puts in, like everyone else no one is perfect." She thought to herself, "True while he may not have as many weak points or weaknesses to exploit that doesn't mean he doesn't have any at all."
The way he puts on such a strong front and intimidating aura, he makes opponents unable to consider he has any openings. That way of doing things also makes him arrogant too and thus he takes too much pride in his strength, so to be outdone like this, was actually grinding his gears as he gritted his teeth and clenched his fist hard in anger. Seeing himself driven into a corner with one lucky move was unacceptable to him, "Grrr…." Despite that he soon calmed down as he saw another side of it too, "Controlling the terrain and using it to trip up your opponent eh?" Craig commented as he recollected himself calmly, "Underhanded….but at the same time a trait worthy of one who works with the land itself." He then smirked with some approval.
"And now to finish you off!" Ed cried out seizing his chance now and deciding to finish it off with one of his best moves, "Earthquake!" Tank flashed purple as she raised herself on her hind legs and smashed down on the ground sending a huge shockwave through the earth and opening a giant chasm in the ground! As Bash flipped himself back on his front legs he quickly grabbed the edge of the cliff as the cracks opened up like a giant beast p[reparing to swallow him whole! With just one more flick of Tank's tail it would then snap close!
Needless to say this was the moment Ed and the Alpha gang were waiting for as they finally had their moment of glory!
"You got him Ed!"
"Show him whose boss!"
"I always knew you could do it!"
While on the other side most of Craig's fans, comrades and the D Team stared in amazement or disbelief at what they witnessed. Craig…actually being driven into a corner!
"No way…."
"Never thought I'd ever see the day…."
"Incredible!"
Seeing how he was literally driven to the edge of defeat, Craig then smiled as he chuckled in response, "Heh, never thought you of all people would actually manage to get a decent hit on me, you should feel proud of yourself."
Ed blinked his eyes in surprise by his unexpected compliment, "Whoa….you really mean it?" He asked though still a bit suspicious, to which he was disproven as Craig nodded at him.
"Of course, I always and only speak the truth especially if it hurts." He said back to Ed feeling almost proud and acknowledging him as a true user of earth.
Ed smiled feeling appreciated and finally acknowledged at his words, feeling like a true man now and something he could actually take pride in…..but before he could enjoy it a second longer….
"But that's all you're going to get!" Craig suddenly spoke out snapping Ed out of his daydreaming as he pulled off a most unexpected counterattack! "Bash! Get in there now!"
"Huh!?" Ed blinked his eyes as Bash, looking his boss in the eyes, nodded in acknowledgement as he leapt into the crevice just as Tank sealed it shut again with him deep inside it to everyone's surprise and disbelief!
SMASH!
"What the!?"
"Did he just!?" Everyone was caught off guard, unable to comprehend what just happened or why would Craig allow it to happen to his own dinosaur!
Ed too was shocked beyond belief, he heard of dinosaur abuse before but never like this! "Wh…What'd you do that for!?" Little did he realise, he would soon come to regret asking.
"Even as the land shifts and cracks and the landscape changes its foundation always remains the same!" Craig bellowed back at him in response, "To be a user of earth you need to command the ground beneath everyone's feet! Both your own and your opponents'! As I'll show you right now!" Craig pointed out at Ed as he chose his next attack, "Mole attack Bash!" The ground beneath Tank shown purple as she was caught off guard along with everyone else!
"Oh no!" Ed gasped in alarm as everyone else widened their eyes not just sat his predicament but also at the fact Craig note only avoided earthquake's effect but even used it to his advantage!
"Not again!" Dr Z cried.
"No way! He escaped that!?" Even Cera was amazed by what she bore witnessed, being the experienced duelist herself even she had moments at being caught off guard and this was one such moment.
"That's Craig for you, tough to the core." Marina commented not surprised in the slightest but still impressed.
Things were far from well with Ed and Tank, as the saichania shook her head snapping out of her confusion, she failed to react in time as the ankylosaurus launched an attack below from her soft underside which sent her flying into the air!
"WAAAAH!" Ed flailed out his arms in alarm as he tried to run only for her to land right onto him! Thankfully on her softer underside and not her spiky back!
CRASH!
"Ed!" The entire Alpha family cried out for him in worry while the entire audience looked on in shock at what they just witnessed. No way was having a dino over 5 tonnes landing on you ever be a good thing!
To make matters worse….Craig wasn't finished at all! "First rule of warfare, a moment's hesitation is the difference between victory and defeat, and I'm going to shove that bitter taste of reality right down your throat here and now!" He bellowed out preparing to give Ed one final lesson as he took out his move and grinned, "Be sure to remember this and take it to your grave even! Gigarock hammer!" As he did so, Bash created the massive crystal hammer on his tail before leaping out into the air ready to slam it down on the helpless Tank, with Ed right under her!
"YIKES!"
"I can't watch!"
Everyone looked away, covered their eyes or braced themselves for what may be the most painful sight and experience of their very lives!
WHAM!
A huge cloud of dust erupted followed by a massive crater in the ground, as Bash leapt out of the cloud and the hammer disappeared from his tail as he bellowed out pridefully in victory, while Tank, lay down twitching on the crater before returning to the form of a card with a really flattened and bruised Ed revealed right under her, his own body wedged into an imprint of the ground…..
"Ooogh…."
"Ow….."
"Ouch…."
Everyone winced or cringed, while Laura fainted in Helga's arms not just at Tank's suffering but poor Ed's too…..
"He's gonna feel that in the morning…." Max gulped while his friends stared in sheer disbelief.
"A….And the winner of this nail biter of a battle is none other than Captain Craig!" The MC announced anxiously himself, as the audience slowly but surely erupted with clapping and cheers to see the win go to their earth captain as they expected it to be.
"Way to show him up!"
"You're the champ!"
"Hahahaha! RAAARRGH!" Craig bellowed out deep hollerous laughter as he punched up to the sky and roared at the top of his lungs as the cheers erupted like a volcano. He continued to boast, gloat and brag about how this was an easy one sided win for him as many of them agreed as they congratulated him believing as it was to be expected.
And yet amongst all the praise he was getting it drowned out the few that weren't as enthusiastic with his win over Ed, and were in fact rather peeved at him for his disregard for the loser.
While it seemed Ed would be ignored completely, it was disproved when Ursula, Zander and Dr Z ran up to the crater where he lay in, "ED!" They all cried worriedly for their brother in arms as they gathered around to see him covered in bruised and scrapes all over his face and body, even his clothes appeared strained and soiled too. Wha worried them was how his eyes were close and he seemed almost out cold.
"Oh no…." Ursula whimpered looking away unable to look anymore, while Zander, gritted his teeth angrily began shaking Ed in an effort to try and wake him up.
"Speak to me buddy!" He yelled in his face, his tone sounding tense and panicky, as he even slapped Ed on the cheek a few times hoping to get some kind of response, but his breathing still remained low and slow. They were just about to expect the worst….till a low groan suddenly snapped them out of it.
"Urgh…."
"AH!" They widened their eyes and got down to see Ed slowly opening his eyes, as a wave of relief came over them.
"Hey guys…." He muttered weakly as he could barely open his eyes, his vision rather blurry as he struggled to keep them open and his sight focused, yet he could still make out his friends and seeing their smiles of relief made him feel at ease that they all truly cared, "Did I do….good?" He asked them hoping they'd be proud of his best, though if not, he was fine with it too as he was used to abuse and punishment as long as he could remember.
As braced himself for whatever answer they had for him, he was surprised when he saw Ursula and Zander smile with ease and relief to see he was going to be just fine.
"He's okay…." Ursula let out a sigh of relief. After all they went through together, they would would be surprised if he wasn't okay after this. Still he had many injuries to look at but they had not doubts that he would be just fine.
"Yeah….you did good Ed." Zander nodded at him which made him smile feeling proud of himself, convincing him that he wasn't a screw up after all.
"Hmph, well good isn't good enough for me!" Dr Z suddenly scoffed arrogantly to the others' surprise.
"S…Sorry Dr Z….." Ed then muttered feeling very bad for disappointing him….then again he was used to it, but this time around he literally felt bad for it.
They scowled at him being insensitive, but he then turned away from them and snarled with rage towards Craig who was still basking in the glory of his victory, "For one of my agents to lose so easily to that muscle headed meatbag….grr…" He hissed viciously and stomped his foot on the ground in a steaming tantrum, "It really grinds my gears just thinking about it!" He growled vowing that this so called victory would be short lived for him and anyone else in the D Resistance, "Tch! For this humiliation, I swear I'll avenge the Alpha Gang and restore our honour and name to this entire city of simpletons!" As he made that declaration, it made the others smile a little lightly seeing that was his way of caring for them….in a way.
Seeing the aftermath of the duel, with Ed lying down in a cracked crater covered with scrapes and bruises, Hua then shook her head in disappointment, "Sigh….I anticipated as much…." It was almost like every time Craig entered the ring his opponent would always end up being carried away on stretcher to the emergency room. As if she was a mother picking up after her child's messes. Still she had a job to do as she called on her dinoshot, "Team, we've got a code yellow, please escort Ed to the medical bay right now." She instructed and before long a pair of paramedics came in with a stretcher and after some effort, due to Ed being rather fat and heavy himself, they were able to load him onto the stretcher before managing to hoist him up onto it. After that they began to push him away to the exit as his friends began to follow after him out of concern.
"Hey Ed." Craig suddenly spoke out getting his attention.
"Huh?" He muttered as he struggled to look up, while the rest of his friends glared bitterly at the earth captain, who paid them no heed.
"What happened today, it was nothing personal so hope you don't hold it against me." He lowered his head feeling a little guilty and admitting he did go overboard a little, before giving Ed a shiny grin and holding a thumbs up at him, "But I'll say this, for a wimpy whiner, you're definitely as tough as nails and the real deal."
"Ehehe…thanks….I think…." Ed chuckled a little, letting it go and not holding any grudges against him, as he then lowered his head back down on the stretcher in exhaustion, unable to hold it up any longer as the paramedics took him over to the ambulance outside the arena, while the rest of the A Team glared daggers at Craig, vowing to get even with him….somehow.
"Well ladies and gentlemen as we've reached the halfway mark in today's battles let's take a 2 hour lunch break to settle down and to affect repairs to the stage before we conclude the rest of the matches later on. Rest assured that Contestant Ed will receive the best medical care our fair city has to offer so no need to wort at all." The MC announced as it was now break time and everyone slowly got off their seats and began heading for the exits while various murmurs and comments echoed amongst them regarding the duel they just saw.
"Oh dear, how awful…." Reese covered her mouth in shock at such barbarity.
"I've expected a lot of things to come from this match but I definitely didn't see that coming." Dr Ancient added in surprise at what he just witnessed.
"Too bad I'm only an animal doctor not a human doctor, otherwise I'd be able to help him out." Dr Drake commented with concern.
"Oh my, guess I'm going to have to cook up something nutritious and perfectly healthy for him to get his energy back." Helga sighed. Normally she was ready to provide first aid for Dr Z whenever he had a household accident which was very often, but as the Alpha Gang's caretaker all of them were her responsibility, as she stood up and saw her way out to attend to him.
Looking to one another, "I think….we'd better go see Ed in hospital." Laura suggested to her brother and then to her parents.
"Yeah it's the least we could do for him to show him we care." Rod sighed shrugging his shoulders before smiling rather lightly, "Plus he didn't do too bad a job out there." He then added at the end with a light smile feeling rather proud of what Ed managed to accomplish today, something he never thought he'd ever do.
"Mhmm, much better than I thought he'd be." His dad agreed with his son as they all got off their seats and went off to follow him to the hospital. Still it wasn't a total loss, as they could also see Ed has much better self esteem, compared to when they grew up with him as a total whiner and complainer, to see him take it like a man was truly deserving of praise and respect this time around, he deserved it that much.
The same was to be said for the D Team, "Can't believe I actually feel sorry for Ed." Zoe sighed with concern hoping Ed would pull through, sure he and his buddies have gone through a lot of abuse and punishments before in the past but today really took the cake in her opinion.
"Well out of the Alpha Gang he wasn't as big a jerk as the rest of them." Max added after that feeling just as sympathetic for the poor guy who no doubt was roped into being bad with the others, all he was doing was following orders and you couldn't hold that against him….completely at least.
"I wouldn't feel too worried though." Rex smiled lightly as the others looked to him in surprise or curiosity, "I mean you've seen them survive way worse like full on explosions, falling off cliffs and waterfalls, this is just a simple cake walk in comparison to all that. He'll be fine." He said feeling sure of himself which made the others smile a little bit too.
"Yeah I guess…." Max said under his breath before narrowing his eyes at Craig who was still showing off and gloating about his win, "I really don't like his attitude all too much.…" He frowned finding him most disrespectful as Zoe and Rex nodded in agreement.
"I get what you mean," Cera replied as she got her fiends' attention, "Still, I feel that's just Craig's way of showing respect to others, and it isn't easy to earn respect from him, I know from experience." She said.
"Not sure how to think about that though…." said Zoe uneasily, if going all out and beating someone into the ground without mercy was Craig's way of showing respect she and the others were feeling unsure about whether they would want it themselves as they looked to one another and shuddered at the thought of it..
"There's no denying that Craig's methods definitely do produce some of the most ideal results one can ask for in a warrior…." Cera thought to herself as she then frowned sadly as she looked at his way as he began flexing and posing for the cameras from the audience, "But if Craig keeps doing things like that he'll become rigid and stale….even the earth and land has to shift and change eventually…." She felt knowing there would be consequences down the line for the earth captain, his arrogance and overinflated ego would no doubt lead to quite the fall if he doesn't realise it soon. And whether he would be able to adapt to the situation when that time comes.
Looking away to see the Alpha Gang follow the stretcher carrying Ed away she then smiled feeling rather happy he had close friends of his own, "As for Ed, I feel from today he may have learned a few valuable lessons," She continued, "And while defeat can be a setback what happens later, whether it rots you or you use it as a springboard, is all up to you." It was then Cera while hopeful towards Ed he was definitely strong enough and could move forward.
Meanwhile as Ed was being carted away, Dr Z scowled with fury, while it was another loss for the Alpha gang, this time he took it more on a personal note. To see one of his adoptive kids being pushed around like that so mercilessly and with such disrespect, it was as though the name of the Alpha Gang was being stained with disgrace. Thus deep inside he had a certain urge to avenge this humiliation as he swore out loudly, "I'll show all those arrogant punks in the future what an old school dinosaur king sized whooping is like! Ahahahaha!" He cackled maniacally prepared to show them all the true might of the Alpha Gang soon enough!
And thus Ed's battle comes to an end with him ending up at the hospital bed, don't worry he's tough like the others in the A Team so he'll be just fine in no time. And thus we see Craig here being a near impenetrable fighter being incredible defences and equally devastating attacks too. However as Cera pointed out he does have weak points as Ed managed to help reveal and exploit even if just for moment but in the end Craig's experience won the day. Also it kinda ties with how Tank lost to an ankylosaurus twice too, one in season 1 and the other in season 2 under Foolscap.
As for Craig, while harsh in his words what he was trying to get out was to make the Alpha Gang be more refined better versions of themselves, given the future would be entrusted to them one day and after seeing the kind of people they truly were in the previous round needless to say he found them most unacceptable and wanted to whip them into proper examples for the future to be proud of. Like how earth represents the foundation of a land where anything is built upon it be it a city, town or forest, his way of doing things relies mainly on improving the foundation of whatever something is built on, so that no matter what others build onto it, it's to make sure it never gets lost or forgotten, something he wanted to burn into the minds of the Alpha Gang themselves as they and Dr Ancient will be the ones to charter in a new revolution for man and dinosaurs alike he wants to make sure they never forget the importance of connection which would be the foundation of how dino society would then be made in years to come. But of course he himself isn't perfect as Cera pointed out and let's just say…stay tuned….
Thus now it falls on Dr Z and Ursula to restore the Alpha Gang's honour, will they succeed? Stay tuned. Plus as we see here Ursula is slowly having a little more self control in herself too with hints of her usual self here and there, as for how this will play on later, we'll see…..
Side note each captain has a favourite move in their arsenal-
Hua-Emerald garden
Kaze-Dino illusion
Blaze-Explosion
Raina-Giga generator
Craig-Gigarock Hammer
Marina-Falling water
Response to reviews
Drew Luczynski
Happy birthday to you, and yeah one shouldn't look down on hadrosaurs so easily.
Well how did you find Ed? Put up a good fight at least.
.brandy
Not sure maybe some ideas may get considered for future chapters for him. Better you ask him.
tsukikami02
Glad you enjoyed it as always, plus teaches Max to be a bit more calm and thoughtful too. Well I could agree from Chisotao and also some in Hua's family may be kabuki dancers or Geisha.
Yup I did use that anime for the veggie bouquet.
Eternal herb is a DS move that revives you if you are defeated.
Ed tried his best but clearly Craig had more expertise in handling earth, compared to Raina who while is smarter she isn't as great in battling compared to Max.
Will do my best to plan good fights.
Any thoughts on which captain you like the most out of them all?
Will agree Cera declined also to keep the dinosaurs and D Team identities a secret. And Emerald garden did remind her of Hua. Something to point out Cera may have met the secret dinosaurs later on but doesn't realise they are the same ones the D Team collected. Though will see if I can do a small snippet or reference.